Coal

The numbers no longer stack up when it comes to coal-fired power: wind and solar are cheaper, and rising electricity costs have more to do with gas prices and network costs than any "green scheme", writes Ian Verrender.

Unless and until the Government gets to grips with the substance of what needs to be done, the lack of a coherent energy policy will remain an indictment of the politicians and a burden on Australian families and enterprises.

AGL wants to close the coal-fired station because it's expensive and unreliable, but the Federal Government wants to keep it open to avoid power shortages. But why the focus on coal, and who would be footing the bill?

Energy Minister Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg and Labor MP Joel Fitzgibbon have a heated discussion in the corridors of Parliament after AGL agreed to ask its board to consider keeping Liddell open for an extra five years.